Thread: Help with old lathe identification

G'Day
Would any of you knowledgable Metalwork types be able to help identify the lathe in the attached photos. It was given to our local Men's Shed, after languishing for some time behind a nearby farmer's shed.
It has a Compton Parkinson motor which isn't working (although it makes a bit of a noise when switched on). It looks too good to throw away and we are going to try to get it going again, Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Mick C

Hi, sorry I can't help with the lathe - it looks like a lot of old lathes. But what sort of noise does the motor make? I got a grinder from the dump recently that made a loud, harsh vibrating sound, with no motion. I remade the connections in the base (junction box) and now it goes like a charm.

Cannot identify the make of lathe.
I thought initially it may have been a Drummond, but cant be sure,
Its sad to see old machinery left out to rust.
It could be restored to a useable machine.
regards
Bruce

The method of construction means, it may be home made . The headstock bearing supports are very flimsy by the look of it.

Just my thoughts . MIKE

Originally Posted by morrisman

.......it may be home made....... .
Just my thoughts . MIKE

The same thing occurred to me. The tailstock has a bit of a wood lathe look about it. It is rare on a metal working lathe to have an externally threaded tailstock ram.

Hard to tell from the photos, but quite a bit of the metal construction could be welded plate fabrictions.

Frank.

Home made or not, its too good to let rust away. If your Men's shed doesn't restore it, put it on Ebay. Someone will buy it.
Ben.

Thanks for all of your replies. The motor just gives an internal humming noise - it probably has mud wasps or something gunking up the insides. It will all come out in the wash. In the meantime, I/we will hope someone out there can shed some light on the history of our "Old Lathe". There a still a few pieces missing, eg the front and rear stand/legs or whatever. The tailstock only turned up last Meeting after we asked the donor if he possibly had one (similar to the tailstock on our Hercus) floating around somewhere. He brought it in and said there was still a box of "bits and pieces" that probably are from the lathe.
Mick C

You could try Tony at www.lathes.co.uk he has an immense knowledge of older lathes with many photos and original data on his site. I hope that is of some help to you.

Thanks Sarpen
That is another avenue to pursue. I will take some more photos of the bearing housings as I believe they are all castings rather than home-made, welded type bizzos. If they ARE home-made, then I take my hat off to the maker.
Many thanks
Mick C